Basic cleaning performance testing was conducted using ASTM G122 as the bases for cleaning.
Five products were used at full strength, heated to 120 F on a hot plate. Fifteen preweighed coupons were coated with Sheetfed Offset Lithographic black ink and allowed to dry for three days and reweighed. Three coupons were cleaned in each solution for 5 minutes using stir-bar-agitation, rinsed in a tap water bath for 15 seconds at 120 F and dried using air blow off for 30 seconds at 68 F. Coupons were allowed to dry overnight and then reweighed a final time. Efficiencies were calculated.
Note: Bio T Foam Plus was sprayed onto coupons at room temperature and allowed to sit for 5 minutes. The cleaner was then rinsed off.
Four of the five products had some effect on the ink. The five minutes used for cleaning was not long enough to remove the amount of ink applied to the coupons. In addition to increasing the cleaning time, ultrasonic or manual wiping would also improve the removal of the lithographic ink.